Page:Harold Titus--Timber.djvu/287

Rh he waved it. The locomotive whistle barked twice and fire streamed from the brake shoes—

In the cindery seat of the smoker Lucius settled himself with a satisfied grin. He fumbled in his coat for the bottle, drained it with no offer of hospitality and then, tossing it into the night, pillowed his head on the window sill and, passed into oblivion.

"One to Peerless and one to Detroit," said Taylor to the conductor.

Peerless was the first stop.

Dirty, uncomfortable men slept or smoked stupidly in the car. None paid attention to Taylor. He joggled Lucius, drew his head up from the sill and it fell against the seat-back, but the boy gave no indication of awakening.

Quickly John searched the other's pockets, taking every penny of change except a lone dime. Then he took an envelope from his own pocket and wrote on it:

"Go to Mr. Richard Mason, Mason Auto Wheel Company. Tell him who your are and that John Taylor sent you. He will take care of you and give you a job."

This he thrust into the boy's pocket and sat back, lighting a cigarette with unsteady hands.

The brakeman came out of the smoky vestibule.

"Next stop Peerless!—Peerless—"

Taylor lurched down the rocking aisle.

"Listen, Charley," taking the trainman by the arm. "My drunken friend has just street car fare. The address he is going to is in a note in his pants' pocket. Tell him about it, and keep this for yourself."

He shoved a bill into the other's hand and went down the car steps.

"All right, boss, good-night."